About

The purpose of this guide is to point business researchers to some key resources when researching the restaurant and consumer food service industry. While not entirely comprehensive, this guide does list several of the key and highly recommended resources when analyzing the industry. I’ve listed the databases and resources below, with recommendations on how to find the best information in the quickest fashion.

General Industry Information

The resources in this section give an overview of the industry and the companies involved in the industry.

IbisWorld

IbisWorld is a good place to get started for a good overview of the industry.

S&P Net Advantage

It has a very good report for the Restaurants industry. The industry reports can be very useful in performing a PEST analysis, particularly when addressing the “economic” area. To find these reports, click on the Industry Tab in NetAvantage, then select the industry in the drop-down menu.

Market Research and Consumer Information

The resources in this section dive more deeply into understanding consumer demand, preferences, and how customers shape the industry.

Passport GMID

Passport GMID offers market research reports and company reports covering the U.S. and the international markets

To find reports for this industry, use the Industries tab, select Consumer Foodservice under Services.

There are many ways to find information in Passport, though the video below shows the most effective way to research this industry. You might also use the search box in Passport to search by company or industry.

The video below demonstrates how to find reports, statistics, market research, and analysis for the restaurant industry.

Mintel Oxygen

Mintel Oxygen is an excellent source for market research reports pertaining to this industry.

A search for “dining” or “restaurant” yields the best search results

It’s also a good idea to browse the Category Overview for Foodservice to find reports that you might have missed with keyword searching.

Mintel also has lifestyle reports for various demographic groups such as millennials, boomers, moms, dads, college students, etc. Again, look for these demographic reports under the Category Overview link.

MediaMark Reporter

MediaMark Reporter is a key tool to use to understand the demographics of those who eat out, or those who dine at specific restaurants.

The video below demonstrates how to find consumer demographic information for restaurant consumers.

WARC

Hint: I find it better to browse WARC at times. Go to Topics, and look for Retail, then Restaurants.

You can also browse to Topics, Consumers, then choose a demographic category, such as “Marketing to Youth”

SimplyMap

SimplyMap can be used to analyze the local market, or potential market, for a restaurant.

Use the Simmons Local data in SimplyMap to find out what percentage, or number of people in a specific geographic area (city, county, zip code) eat at a particular restaurant (type or brand).

The video below shows you how to analyze the local restaurant market.

Articles and Statistics

You can use articles and statistics from these resources to help fill in any gaps in your research.

Business Source Complete

Business Source Complete has a lot of useful information that can take your research to the next level. I’ve listed here last not because it is the least important, but because I would us articles and reports from Business Source Complete to fill in the gaps of your research. You will find Industry Profiles (search for wine or wineries, and Trade Publications that can enhance the broad coverage of other industry reports.

Statista

Statista is great resource to find some extremely useful statistics for you industry.

Simply search for “fast food,” “restaurants,” or by company or brand to find stats for your project.

SEC Filings

The 10-k (annual SEC filings) for individual companies contain financial information for companies, as well as textual descriptions of business strategies, risk factors, competition, and more. Look in Part 1, Item 1 and Item 1A for this information in a company’s 10-K report. As an example, take a look at the 10-K for McDonald’s and look at the Business and Risk Factors sections. You will notice that McDonald’s uses some of the similar language found in reports like IBISWorld and others. You might also look at similar 10-K’s for other companies in the industry.

Copyright & Access

Please note that the majority of resources linked on this site are subscription databases. If you are not a member of the Ohio University Academic Community, you should check with your local library for access or search WorldCat for the database name and find a library near you.

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